Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker has claimed that his statement regarding the organisation of the Bumiputera Economic Congress was twisted to the extent of being considered racist.
He explained that the statement was aimed at the failure of the Bumiputera Economic Congress to improve the economic position of its target group due to corruption and misuse of power.
“My statement is clear. I do not want to negate the rights of the Malays nor do I intend to question the implementation of the Bumiputera Economic Congress.
“What I am trying to convey is that the time has come for this congress to no longer be ridden to gain political brownie points or be used as a platform of opportunity by some opportunistic parties,” he said in a statement today.
Ti called on the Madani government to reverse the stigma against the Bumiputera Economic Congress and organise a congress that benefits the country and its people with a long-term framework that can bring lasting progress.
“It (should not be) about a temporary gain for the elites of the Malay community by promoting the Malay agenda,” he said.
Yesterday, several Umno leaders responded to the senator's statement made when debating Budget 2024 in the Senate last week, responses he described as “deliberately looking for trouble”.
Umno vice-president Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail advised Ti not to try to “spark the fire of racism”.
In addition, Umno's supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi also strongly condemned the statement which he considered racist and inflammatory.
Puad said that the former deputy minister of youth and sports Ti should provide an explanation as the statement offended the feelings of the Malays.
‘Not my statement’
“Once again I would like to correct all statements that smack of racism and incitement made against me that I oppose the 'Malay Congress'.
“The statement of stopping the Bumiputera Economic Congress is not a statement from me,” he stressed.
“The bumiputera, Chinese and Indian congresses held by independent NGOs should continue but the Economy Ministry or civil government should not be used to mobilise the government's time, energy and resources.
“The government's duty should be to look after the interests of all economic layers of the entire country,” he added. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.